Waiting to be moved. Following the body's lead. Gathering with others to move and be still together. Making time and space for the unconscious to manifest in the movement and stillness of the body. Attending to impulse. Embodying the flow of the imagination in movement and stillness. - Daphne LowellToday we introduced Authentic Movement into the course. We will be revisiting this practice throughout the quarter. Unfortunately, we have a short amount of time in this class. This practice opens to deeper experiences with longer periods of practice.
To review, we spoke of the mover and the witness. The mover moves with eyes closed following any impulses and the witness simply observes making no judgements nor interpretations. After the period of moving, the mover shares her impressions first speaking in the present tense. Then, if the mover wishes, the witness speaks to what they observed, again speaking in the present tense.
If you have not already done so, please read Authentic Movement; An Introduction by Daphne Lowell. Please include some reference to this article in your comments this week. What were your initial responses to this practice? As a mover? As a witness?
21 comments:
I suppose this idea of "authentic movement" is somewhat hard to grasp for me. I have never been one to let my gaurd down easily in life, this may have also caused myself to put up a tighter shield of listening to my inner self impulses. I am not sure about this exactly, but I do know that I enjoy being in control. Rarely do I put myself in situations where I lose this control. There have been exercises that I have done in past dance classes that have involved completely relaxing the body and not holding any tension in it, and I find that I have difficulty in completely letting go of the hold I have on my body. With that said...
As the mover:
It was really difficult to find a reason to move. As the article states there is suppose to be a response "to a sensation, to an inner impulse, to energy coming from the personal unconcious, the collective unconsious, or the superconcious..." and I don't know if I really felt like there was anything there. I found that if I moved I somewhat willed myself to move because I felt that it was wrong to be still. I think that having the knowledge of being witnessed made this somewhat of an issue, because if someone is watching then I don't want to do nothing and when it comes time to talk about it all you can really say is "I do not move." I can't really interpret whether or not the movements I made were from impulses, something that my inner concious was willing me to do or if it was simply because I didn't want to, for lack of a better word, bore the one who witnessed me.
As the witness:
I felt that this was a little easier to do. I was open to any of the movements that the person I watched did, and like instructed did not delve into a deep meaning of what they could represent. Simply that there were movements and where they were concentrated in parts of the body. It is possible that just with the issues I personally have about letting my own guard down that being the witness was easier because I find it less dangerous to observe other people, especially when what I witness isn't necessarily wished to be heard anyway.
A few responses to the article:
I found the article very interesting with the way it described authentic movement. Two things really captured my interest the most:
1. I found it fascinating that Janet Adler first worked with autistic children before deepening her work in the field of what alternative movement has progressed into. It makes a lot of sense that people with autism might have a deeper impulse within them affecting the way they move. That was just an interesting point.
2. The other was when it went to describe an alternative movement session and how they have different seting and rules within certain groups. The fact that in some groups contact between the movers is allowed and sometimes encouraged (I understood this as a choice based on the comfort of the mover) was interesting and made me wonder how movements like that could move independent of one another and have no real influence on the two in contact because it stated, "When physical contact occurs, each mover continues to follow her own impulses for movement or stillness, while taking care not to impose movement on the other." This particular instance would be very interesting to witness or experience, because it seems that it ask a lot of one who is suppose to be making no impulses it seems to suggest that the stength of our inner concious is stronger than we think, if that makes any sense.
When I first heard of “Authentic Movement”, I immediately thought that it was some sort of choreographed dance. As someone who is not used to learning dance routines in front of other people, I wasn’t sure if I was going to like this practice. However, after learning what it actually is, my mind relaxed, and I looked forward to becoming both the mover and the witness.
As the witness:
My first role was that of a witness. As someone who likes to be in control, I really enjoyed being a witness. I was able to observe my partner, and the class in general, without interpreting what her movements could possibly means. I thought it was interesting that at times, my partner, who was the mover, was stiller than I was. This made me feel a bit uncomfortable as I thought I wasn’t being a “good” witness.
As the mover:
In the beginning, I wasn’t sure what I was supposed to be doing. I had seen how half the class “moved” and thought I needed to do something similar. However, I quickly remembered that as a mover, my task was to pay attention to what MY body wanted to do. In the words of Janet Adler, my task was “to respond to a sensation, to an inner impulse, to energy coming from the personal unconscious, the collective unconscious, or the superconscious” (20). I did just that and got more comfortable in my role as the mover. I paid close attention to the aches in my body and moved according to my sensations.
-F. Widjaja
I have done this exercise several times before but it was not previously described as authentic movement. It was helpful to have Louis provide a brief explanation of authentic movement prior to beginning the exercise. I had not previously read the Daphne Lowell's article before Thursday's class, but have since read it and have a better appreciation of what we did in class having now read the article.
My initial response was to be a witness first and my partner was willing to be the mover. It was very interesting to witness my mover as she moved. She seemed completely as ease with where her body was taking her. It seemed that her movements progressed from one part of her body to the next and the need/desire to stretch all parts of her body was very strong. I was able to stay focused on her as opposed to diverting my attention to other movers in the class because my back was facing the center of the room. I thought this was an advantage so I could keep my focus on my mover. I noticed that she opened her eyes at times but had a very soft focus. I was intrigued with this. She concluded her movements with a headstand which, for me would have been very uncomfortable but she looked completely at ease with this pose.
As a mover, I had no idea what my body was going to do. My mind certainly had some ideas so I was fascinated to experience that my body took control over my mind. Once again, I think this illustrates that I am slowly learning how to let go and not control so much. I haven't been as successful with this in past exercises. Initially, I started on my back in an x position. My mind initially kept saying, "stand up and do stretching poses", but my body decided that it wanted to focus on core strength movements. So that's what I did. In Lowell's article. she discusses that the core of authentic movement rests with the individual and not anyone else and .. embedded in every fiber of the practice is a belief in the wisdom of the body--that through the body we can find insight, inspiration and healing. In my movement experience and in reflecting upon this statement, I realized that my body, at that moment in time, wanted to move very differently than how my mind did. Fortunately, I listened to my body and most likely had a more fulfilling experience as a result of that. This body/mind connection, even though they differed, was helpful to me to realize that it is a very good thing to defer to my body.
My partner and my sharing was fairly different than what was described in Lowell's article. I found that my partner was not as vocal as I was in our sharing, however, I tend to over-verbalize. I recognized after reading the article that it is important to keep judgments and opinions/speculations out of the discussion and just discuss what was experienced and observed. I've got to work on that part.
One other comment about the article - the last section asking questions about what to do as authentic movement practices become more established. It will be a continuing challenge to balance the need to ensure skilled practitioners and facilitators who lead authentic movement exercises versus making the process too structured with too many rules.
I read the article by Daphne Lowell before coming to class, but I still wasn’t completely clear about what “authentic movement” really was until I experienced it myself. After having participated I realize that the simplest description of this action is the name itself. It is “authentic” movement that is created by your bodies own impulses, not by any predetermined choreography or rhythmic beats caused by music. It is simply allowing your body to do what it wants to do. I must admit though it wasn’t that easy for me. It seems so silly to get caught up in what others think of you, but I believe that in today’s society simply following your own body’s impulses is often frowned upon. Consequently, it seemed that completely letting go was difficult for me.
Witness: The first role I played was as the witness. I’m not sure if this was beneficial or not, because seeing what others did could have subconsciously caused me to decide what things would or would not be okay for me to do. However, it was interesting to witness the progression of their body movements. It was also easy to observe what felt good to the mover, and what areas were tense or sore. When hearing them speak about their experience afterwards, it made most of things I was prepared to say seem repetitive. I was surprised at how in sync I could be with someone else just by watching their actions.
Mover: After witnessing, I became the mover. I started by simply sitting cross-legged (because that has always been a position of comfort for me). I then just let my body stretch out in whatever ways seemed best. It felt extremely good just to stretch and flex my feet and toes and roll my neck. I also realized that I had tension in my lower back, almost as if my vertebrae were slightly misaligned. So my body often formed positions that stretched my lower back. When talking to the witness about my experience it seemed that they were very observant of what areas caused tension and which caused pleasure.
In reading the article, one statement that I really took to heart was when Daphne Lowell mentioned that she realized she wasn’t teaching dance, she was teaching people. This made me realize that it seems easy to get caught up in learning a combination or a piece of choreography. But in reality that is just the outline. The way you let your body move is what makes the choreography into a dance. This is also what makes the same piece of choreography unique to each person who dances it. –Emily Stromme
I had a chance to skim through the article, Authentic Movement, before the Thursday class. But I’m not quite sure how this practice would work as the author describes, or how could this be used as to cure someone’s illness. However, after I experienced the practice, I can feel, this movement is really useful.
I first started the practice in class as a witness. I was incredible to see others including my partner moved their body. I noticed that they moved as much as they want in order to relax their body. I saw my partner moved a lot on their ankle part and after I talked to her after the practiced end she said her ankles feel much better after she let her body leads her mind.
As a mover, at first I couldn’t concentrate on the practice. I feel a little bit awkward because I feel like people were looking at me. However, after few minute, I was more concentrate and became more relax during the practice. When the time end, I could feel that my sore shoulder was much more relax than the time I started. I let my body lead me what to do in order to feel the most comfortable for my body.
After I experience both witness and mover, I think this practice is very beneficial for me and others who experiences. It becomes such a good chance to experience this movement. If I have a chance I would recommend my friends try this movement, so it will become a benefit for everyone. - Pitchaya N.
I find the practice of authentic movement a little hard to relate to, especially after reading Janet Adler’s article. Personally, I am amazed at her dedication to the study of authentic movement. To be a silent witness for the first three months of the training takes incredible discipline and focus. I believe this patience would be impossible for me. I do understand how Adler sees a connection between authentic movement and psychoanalysis, and it makes sense that this movement form could be very affective in learning about oneself. The talking between mover and witness could become very therapeutic.
When we experimented with authentic movement in class, I could truly relate to how difficult it can be for some to let go and move. I can also see how it would take time to become a true witness. My partner was not moving much, and I found myself being distracted by another mover who was able to let go of her inhibitions. I had to remind myself to try and wholly witness my mover. Adler talks about how witness and mover become entwined, and I can see how it could take months to develop this relationship.
The article describing authentic movement by Daphne Lowell is more relevant to my life. She describes the different levels and uses of the form, and I especially find the choreography use interesting. Like I mentioned before, I was distracted from my witnessing by another mover. I found her movements intriguing, and I found myself wondering what she was feeling. I also found it interesting to talk about each others experience as movers. I found it to be a creative process. Maybe as we experience it more, I will learn how to totally let go of my inhibitions and tensions. I can see how when one gets totally trusting of their witness, they would be able to get more out of authentic movement.
As a mover, I felt boring. I wanted to let go and be an interesting mover for my witness, but I was totally conscious of being the mover instead of just letting go. I was also super tired, so my movements indicated my sleepiness. I found myself trying to change my mood in order to be a more interesting mover. After reading the articles, I think I should have just embraced my mood. One thing I realize, it will take a lot of practice to not worry about being witnessed, and it will take even more practice to become a witness that is able to listen to the mover. If one does find a strong connection between mover and witness, it could be amazing.
Authentic movement is a term that I have not heard of before. After reading the article I was interested in actually performing the exercise. I wanted to experience it for myself.
As the mover, I was very scared. I didn’t really know what I was supposed to do. I knew I was supposed to listen to my body and feel the movement but even then, I was still left confused. I just started to stretch. My body felt tight and stretching made me feel good. I didn’t like the feeling of being watched by both my witness and the rest of the witnesses in the class. I felt like my private movement was on display. As much as I believe that there is a safe environment for us to be free in class, I felt restricted during this exercise. When I was the mover I felt that I was being judged.
As the witness, I tried my best to give her the same attention that I assume she gave me. My partner repeated her movements and stayed seated. It was hard for me to pay attention because even though only half of the class was moving, I felt that there was a lot going on.
-Jasmine Boado
After reading the article, I was able to gain a stronger understanding of the practice done in class. In class I was unsure and afraid of how to act as a mover and was looking forward to acting as a witness more than a mover. When we did the exercise in class I was the first of my pair to act as a mover. For the majority of the time I lied on my back, unsure where my body wanted to take me. I felt afraid and unsure as to what to do. My body was tired and I realized that I was the most comfortable lying on my back and relaxing. I then started to strech my back, legs, and arms once I felt more comfortable. When I was the witness, I noticed that my partner made similar movement to mine. I wonder if there was any relation considering that I went first and maybe I inspired her movements. –Kristen Shapton
Authentic movement is a very new term to me. Initially, I attributed the term more towards some form of motion, but after reading the article, the term movement does include stillness in its very form. After hearing about it in class, I wanted to experience it, before I could make any notions about the term. I start by my responses to the different "roles" in this practice.
As a witness, initially I felt there is a large responsibility in observing the movement (includes stillness) of the mover. It seemed very hard to remember all the movements made by the mover. Having a notebook to note the positions might help ease the remembering part. However, it really helps that as a witness, we are not interpreting their movement(s).
As a mover, I had pre-decided that it will be a lot convenient for me to not move. Rather enjoy the stillness (which I very much do), and just in case I had an impulse to move I would do so. However, I pretty much had no such impulse and just dug deeper down to feel different parts of my body.
After sharing my experience (with the witness), I was really surprised by the careful observance of my witness. Although she mentioned my stillness, she also mentioned that my eyes were moving rapidly after about midway through the activity. I myself had missed that, and just getting this piece of information makes me to journey deeper into myself to understand the same. And to quote Janet Adler, "The mover and witness usually speak together [afterwards] about the material that has emerged during the movement time, thus bringing formerly unconscious processes into consciousness. (1987)," describes exactly my response and quite frankly amazes me.
Finally, to me, authentic movement seems to be a very useful activity in the journey to understand our impulses, once one becomes (or is) comfortable in moving (or staying still) in front of a witness, knowing that both the mover and so is the witness are essential to this understanding.
----------------------------------------------------
For bookkeeping purposes the article mentioned/quoted can be found in Contact Quarterly (2002), vol 27, no 2, pp 13-17. or in a newly published book with the whole article on preview at: this link (browser should support redirects...)
Wanting to move, waiting to be moved. I experienced my divine feminine when I witnessed and danced authentic movement. The article by Daphne Lowell introduced the idea of authentic movement as a body practice to explore the unconscious. She described the space of the practice and the acceptance of all forms of movement and people. She attended to the importance of both roles, the witness and the mover, in the practice. I agree with her the magnitude of having another body and heart in our lives, as a witness to our experience. Someone to share with and learn from, is such a blessing that I hope all humans can experience. Establishing a relationship with another person is difficult, and using the skills of the body can open us to a meaningful relationship that extends beyond the conscious and verbal reality. I also enjoyed the discussion of the Tao of the body, which really does allow us to experience the transpersonal nature of reality. Rather than dividing life, we can, through the body experience the collective current of reality. Experiencing moving and witnessing was an interesting process. I didn't enjoy moving in the space with many other people. I would prefer less people or outdoors to increase our ability and potential to access our bodies and be attentive to the mover. Regardless, I did enjoy authentic movement. I think that it allowed me and the other movers to access knowledge stored in our body, a new language that isn't defined between a relationship of signifier and signified. I do know that dance is a gesture to, or perhaps the form of, nature itself. That is why I dance.
++aa roesch-knapp
Alternative movement is an entirely new concept for me. Although I didn't read Adler's article prior to class, I feel it was somewhat beneficial to experience the roles of mover and witness without any preconceived notions or expectations. However, without any background knowledge, I became surprisingly self-conscious and anxious when asked to be the mover for the first round. As desperately as I was trying to concentrate and listen to my body, my mind was constantly distracting me, my curiosity pestering me with thoughts about everyone else around me. As the witness, I felt much more at ease, despite my new observatory responsibilities. During class, I felt a strong sense of isolation and distance between the realm of the witness and that of the mover- an atmosphere of watching and being watched. According to Adler, in reality, authentic movement is a process of simultaneously "being moved and moving," of losing the "illusion that one is anything other than one's body."
Adler's discussion of the interconnectedness between the mover and witness was most fascinating to me. As illustrated in a loop-like diagram, the mover and witness engage in a symbiotic relationship. At one point, the "intensity" of the mover's experience overwhelms their consciousness of the witness' presence, perhaps as they become "immersed in a memory..or experiencing the kinesthetic sensation of movement." The witness has a parallel experience during which they too remove any inhibiting thoughts and begin to experience the mover's actions in their own terms. As well articulated in the article, during these moments, "both people have embarked on their individual path.
–C.McCoy
I have never done this movement before and never heard of this movement. When I was skiming through the article, I was excited to be really experienced for my self. However, unfortunately I had really bad cold and could not attend the class. Instead, I read all the comments that are posted to see how my classmates felt about this exercise. It is still hard to imagine me doing it but I got better sense of how it works. As I knew better about this class, I realized that this class is to really listen to my body and pay attention to how my body really wants to move. I think this exercise fit right in for that matter. I hope we do this exercise once more so that I could experience it for my self and get to know my body better and realize the power of this exercise.
Authentic Movement is new to me. The same goes for dance therapy. So I am very intrigued to learn and do more. I didn't have a chance to read the article before we did the exercise in class - so I feel like I didn't get as much out of it as I could have. But after reading the article - I now totally understand why this is done in sessions of 20 minutes to an hour.
As a mover, I didn't experience anything spiritual or any serious connection to my consciousness. I just simply moved and did whatever my body felt like it needed to do. And due to whatever reason - I mainly just stretched and did a lot of lengthening and contracting. At one point I felt like I wasn't getting enough movement in so I started doing some swinging movements while I was stretching. But it was nice to just listen to my body. Next time I will try to listen elsewhere and see if I can expand my experience.
As a witness, I didn't realize exactly what my task was. To serve basically as a presence and to connect with the mover if invited to do so brings a deeper level to the experience than I was willing to let myself be drawn into.
I thought it was almost comical that there is an actual rule that things that happen in authentic movement are to be kept confident. Maybe it's just because of my experiences with similar types of activities that made me think "Well duh. That's a given" when I read that part. But at the same time, I guess it is important to have that rule and that understanding from the very beginning of the process.
-Desirae
As for alot of people, this was a very difficult concept to grasp. I did not know what I was suppose to do and it made me feel uncomfortable to know I was being watched. I was a witness first because I wanted to see what other people were doing so that I could get an idea of what I was 'suppose to do.' Unforunatly that is really against the point, but it did help me so that I realized I didn't have to be doing big crazy things to be doing it right. As a mover I just did what I thought my body wanted to do, which was streching, but I am pretty sure I completly missed the point.
Today, it really helped when you (Louis) described it again after we had experienced it once because it gave me a better understanding of what I should be doing, which is letting go of letting my thoughts control my body. It is very similair (if not the same) to meditation, which is a very difficult practice to master. Today, as a second time doing it I felt that at some moments I had a grasp of letting go of my thoughts, but I couldn't hold that concentration for very long. After last thursday I was a little intimidated, but after today I became very excited to practice this more and become more comfortable.
-Joanne
To me authentic movement is just improvisation with the inspiration coming only from your body. I really see this exercise as dance/movement therapy. You get to do whatever feels good to you body and in turn your body feels better at the end. In contrast dance classes usually prepare a dancer to be in a performance. Because of this, classes are usually about building the strength of the dancer, and teaching him/her to move in ways that are visually appealing. Mary Whitehouse too discovered this about dance and that’s why she developed a different way of instructing.
As the mover:
I just moved and stretched out my tight back.
I probably moved my back in more ways than I ever have before. After I was done my back felt significantly better and less tight. While I moved my back in slowly, I moved my limbs quickly and freely because they were not tight.
As the witness:
It was really difficult to be a witness. There are many people moving in the room, but you have to stay focused on your dancer. Not only that, but your mind starts to wander off on its own.
Talking about it:
I found it was easier to describe what the other dancer was doing than what I was doing. As you are dancing you are so in the moment after the time is over it is hard to recall all that you did. After the witness shares with me, I am able to think of more things I did.
Authentic movement seems to be so personal I don’t know why we have or need a witness.
-Sandra
Please include some reference to this article in your comments this week. What were your initial responses to this practice? As a mover? As a witness?
The idea of Authentic Movement was intrigueing. As I read the article and prepared for this new experience my nerves would not settle, but as soon as I took my role as the mover and witness, I felt calm.
I understood what was meant when the article says, "The witness, especially in the beginning, carries a larger responsibility for consciousness, as she sits to the side of the movement space." As a witness I felt a responsibilty to see everything and miss nothing, not even the small twitches of eyelids or tightening of fingers. But I also felt a discomfort at first; as if I were seeing something private or internal, like watching a stranger sleep or lovers kissing. Further into the time, I felt more of a connection and less like an invading spy.
As a mover I did not feel how I previously thought I would. Although being witness heightened my self-consciousness, I did not feel disdain for it or for being watched. I struggled to allow my body to take control. My mind would not let go and I couldn't decipher who was commanding my motions; my mind or my body. I was urged to move by things like the light through the windows or the push of the floor. I moved when I heard movement around me and although I wanted to stay still, my discomfort would not allow it. I found that the task of the mover is a difficult one: "Her [the mover's] task is to respond to a sensation, to an inner impulse, to energy coming from the personal unconscious, the collective unconscious, or the superconscious..." How to follow the lead of the unconscious? I could not figure it out; could not quiet my mind or release the stressful control that is maintained throughout my days.
The most appealing thing I found in the article is that: "..through the body we can find insight, inspiration, and healing."
-Jessica J
Honestly, I had a difficult time staying awake. As the article refers to it, my “inner impulse” as a mover, was to just lie there and sleep, but I figured that would be really boring for my witness, who was also probably a little sleepy given the time. Other than rest, my body told me to stretch, probably in order to stay awake and just out of habit. The article states that the two, the witness and mover, should meet “somewhere they can move without outside interruption.” Given the restraints of the class, I know this is impossible. With my eyes closed, I didn't feel comfortable moving around too much, so I basically stayed in place, which was obviously limiting.
As a witness, I felt a little tongue-tied when it came time to talk with the mover. Although Adler was quoted in the article saying, “The witness…carries a larger responsibility for consciousness,” I didn't really know what I had witnessed and, therefore, didn’t know what to say. We were both so new at this that neither of us really felt comfortable moving, and neither of us commented very much, either. And speaking in the present tense will take some getting used to!
~Marcee Wickline
At first I had mixed feelings about Authentic Movement. It was strange and abstract to me – or at least the witness part. I’ve experienced following what my body wants to do in improvisation before. But I had never been witnessed. It seems like the witness should be there to help interpret what the body is saying through its movements, but the witness doesn’t do that at all. The article states that one of the ways Authentic Movement is used for is “as a mode of therapy” used by dance therapists. I don’t yet quite understand how the witness plays into this mode of therapy by only repeating what he/she sees.
As a mover, I felt free. At times, my mind was a bit hesitant to let go. And even when it did I don’t know if it necessarily agreed with what my body decided to do. But without my mind, my body felt free. It was free to do what it wanted to do. I did various stretches that somehow relaxed my body while at the same time awakening it. My body also performed certain motions to help loosen up my joints (especially around my hips). I love popping different joints, and when my mind is present it is always trying to come up with some new way to do this. My hip joints often need to be popped, or at least loosened, but there’s only a couple way my mind knows how to accomplish this – and even then it doesn’t always work. However in the short amount of time I was a mover and let my body take control, my hips popped several times and in many different ways. After moving, when sharing with my witness, I expressed some differences I noticed between my body and mind. When my mind is in control, it likes everything to be even; in a sense, my mind prefers symmetrical movements. For example, if I do a certain movement or stretch with my right arm, my mind will tell my body to do the same to my left. However, during my session of movement, when my mind was out of the picture, there was no equality in my movements at all. My body did what it needed and wanted to do. If my right toe needed pointing and my left needed flexing, then that’s what it would do. My body didn’t worry about the fact that I never ended up pointing my left toe and flexing my right. It was both a weird sensation (especially for my mind) and a freeing and welcoming one as well.
I could continue on much longer discussing my experience as a mover, but as a witness, I feel like I have little to say. Perhaps it’s because I still don’t quite understand the purpose of a witness. When I was a witness, I almost felt sort of useless. Maybe I even felt like I could be intruding in on the mover’s personal ‘body time.’ Yet at the same time, when I’m witnessing, I feel a bit disconnected. I think it might be useful to write down what I’m witnessing as I witness it – not interpretations of course, but simply writing down the actual movements I see the mover make. Perhaps this could help me feel more involved? I would certainly have more to share at the end of the session because my notes would help me remember what I actually did witness.
- Lauren Cook
My initial thoughts of the idea of authentic movement were somewhat skeptical. I did not understand the concept until I actually was told to practice it in class. The article was somewhat confusing, or perhaps it was just the fact that I had never heard of this concept before. I had never though of allowing my body to move in the way that it wanted to, regardless of what my mind told it to. It is a very different idea than my day to day practices.
As a mover, it was difficult to let my body do what it wanted to. My mind was still in control regardless of what I wanted it to do. It was very hard to allow my body to move as it wanted to because my focus was on what my mind was thinking. i kept thinking about what all of the "witnesses" were viewing. Would they see me? Would they think that I was moving in a way that was un-authentic? What would their opinion of my movement be? It was difficult to move in a way that was authentic, because I kept thinking about what everyone was seeing. When I finally let my body in the ways that it wanted to, it took a lot of self awareness and self control. I was aware that my body may be doing things that it would not normally do, but I was also in control of it's actions. Authentic movement was not authentic at first, but after a few minutes of trying to do what I originally thought I was supposed to do, my movement stopped becoming planned, and began to be authentic. My body slowly took control. It took a few minutes for my mind to "let it's guard down" i suppose, but after it did, I understood what the article was talking about. My body released tension and stress. It moved in a way that made each muscle and joint feel positively. I could literally feel the tension being released as my body moved around on the floor as it pleased. It was a very odd experience, but one that brought my senses to a new level. It isn't all about what the mind thinks the body needs, but the body innately knows what it truly desires and what will make it feel better.
As a witness, it was odd to see what the bodies of other people needed. However, this also lead me to feel what my body could need. While my partner needed to stretch and release tension, I needed to relax and move around. It was different to see someone move without their brain telling them to do so, but with their body as the number one sense behind their movement. It was also difficult to tell if the mover that I was witnessing was moving authentically or not. While glancing around the room, I noticed that different movers were moving in different ways. Each of their bodies were requesting different forms of movement to make them feel better. Perhaps our bodies know what we really need. This exercise made me realize that it is important to listen to the complexities that our bodies present us with. Each individual faces their own challenges throughout the day, and each body needs to reflect upon these challenges or situations in their own way. Authentic movement really helped to clarify these types of movement, whether it be what I was witnessing, or what I was experiencing as a mover. Either way, the actions completed were very informative.
~melissa Eckstrom
This post is closed.
These exercises made me realize how much I tense up and how ridiculous my walk looks. My partner showed me how I slump my shoulders, turn out my feet, and stick my bottom out on my walk. The funny thing was these were some of the same walking problems she had; just not as bad. Also, in my defense, I have a prominent bottom. It did make me feel heavier in my walk, which made me want to experience the “lightness” of movement discussed in the reading, “Body Awareness in Action.” It said that an experienced instructor with an unsuspecting subject would be able to demonstrate the kinesthetic effect of lightness relatively quickly, starting with changing the balance of the head and continuing on to walking, standing, etc. I can see how feeling lighter would lead to a greater pleasure. With practice, this ability to move with lightness without using habitual effort could lead to my having both better posture and health.
In the tensing exercise, I tried to just tense my thigh, yet my upper body tensed also. I found that it is extremely difficult to tense a muscle in isolation. I noticed that others could tense legs without too much upper tension, but when trying to isolate tension to an arm, most of us tensed all our upper bodies somewhat. In the inhibition exercise, I thought that tension might come from being physically touched, but that was not the case. The tension came from concentrating on the act of tensing a body part, not from being touched. I thought this exercise could be related to the readings description of expanding one’s attention to take in not just one’s self but also the environment. I’m still struggling with the application of this thought, but it definitely seems worth exploring more. It has been interesting to read the different applications of Authentic Movement and the Alexander Technique including breathing, posture, and mood enhancement; all of which are areas a dancer, or anyone, could benefit from improving.
Post a Comment